President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a significant health position in his upcoming administration.
By Berkeley Lovelace Jr.
Some staff members at the Food and Drug Administration are contemplating a quick departure as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is being discussed as a possible health official in the incoming Trump administration, according to three former and one current government official who were granted anonymity to speak openly about the sensitive matter. These former officials remain connected with current FDA employees.
Staff turnover often accompanies a new administration, with many FDA employees similarly considering departure before President-elect Donald Trump’s first term, said both a former and a current official. Back then, there were also uncertainties about what direction the FDA would take under the Trump administration.
Ultimately, however, "relatively little turnover" occurred, according to a former official, who added that Trump’s first term generally went smoothly for those who stayed at the FDA, enabling them to focus on new agency priorities, such as expedited drug approvals.
This time, though, there’s an additional layer of concern: Kennedy.
“With the first administration, more people adopted a wait-and-see approach. Now, between concerns about new post-employment restrictions and the risk of involuntary separation, more people are proactively considering their options,” one former official said.
The current official echoed that sentiment, estimating that "dozens" are likely weighing their choices.
It’s still unclear what specific health role Kennedy may assume in the administration—if any—but Trump has indicated he would let the former independent presidential candidate and vaccine skeptic “go wild on health.” Meanwhile, Kennedy has hinted at a possible overhaul of federal health agencies, including the FDA, telling NBC News the day after the election that “in some categories, there are entire departments, like the nutrition department at the FDA, that have to go.”
“The question now is whether the agency will have leadership that can continue advancing innovative new products or if it will bring in leadership that could disrupt the FDA’s ability to fulfill its core mission,” said one former official. The FDA did not respond to a request for comment regarding whether employees are considering leaving.
According to both a former and a current official, any talk of departures remains speculative at this point, and it’s unclear if anyone has actually left or is making firm plans to do so.
At a cancer research event on Tuesday, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf expressed “disappointment” with the election results and uncertainty about the agency’s future.
When asked if he anticipates a “mass exodus” of employees, Califf responded, “I think people are waiting to see.”
“We really don’t know what’s going to happen next,” Califf added. “It seems clear that this administration aims to change many things, but how that unfolds will depend on who fills key positions and how the policies develop.”
Trump has also indicated he may seek to end the so-called revolving door, where government officials leaving the agency move on to lobbying roles—a point of concern for some FDA staff who worry about future job prospects if they remain, according to one source.
Another individual expressed uncertainty about how such restrictions would work in practice or if Trump could apply them retroactively.
Additionally, several FDA staff members are nearing retirement eligibility, and “some may see this as an ideal time to make that transition,” one person noted. The FDA currently has over 18,000 employees.
It’s also possible Kennedy could be placed in a role with limited influence over the FDA’s core functions.
Last month, NBC News reported that the Trump campaign was considering Kennedy for a position to lead an initiative similar to “Operation Warp Speed” but focused on childhood chronic disease, referencing the COVID-19 vaccine development program during Trump’s first term.
